clever-clever
adj/ˈklɛvəklɛvə/ · /klɛvəˈklɛvə/
Etymology Reduplication of clever.
1
Derogatory Showily or ostentatiously clever.
- The difference between clever-clever talk and the appearance of a real awareness is desperately fine, and I do not guarantee to be right in my diagnosis every time.1994, Christmas Humphreys, Zen Comes West, Routledge, page 107:
- You used to know where you stood with musicals. There were the old traditionals with scores by Rodgers and Hammerstein; the clever-clever shows with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; and the bombastic 'supermusicals', with sub-operatic numbers.2007 July 15, Sarah Hughes, The Observer:
1 more example
- England have tried a couple of clever-clever short corners tonight, and both of them have ended in total farce. England have many strengths, but clever-clever is not an option in their back pocket.2013 November 14, Scott Murray, The Guardian: